SDLP deputy leader Mr Séamus Mallon was last night reselected by the party to contest the Newry and Armagh constituency in the forthcoming Westminster elections.
The MP for the area since 1986 was unopposed at the convention meeting in a hotel in Newry in Co Down.
After selection he spoke of the daily challenge to build a peaceful society in the North.
He said: "As we face into this election contest we will defend that victory of peace over war; we will seek to build further prosperity on that peace and we will defy anyone - from wherever they emerge - that will put at risk the achievements that have flowed from the Good Friday Agreement."
But the Stormont Deputy First Minister acknowledged fresh tasks still lie ahead. "The peace we have could yet perish. It must be anchored in equality, dignity and human rights for all."
"Sectarianism is a cancer in our society. We must root it out. All its forms, subtle or savage, prejudice or pipe bomb, must be attacked."
Mr Mallon insisted the policing issue must be settled soon or else British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair will be focused solely on the looming general election.
The Stormont Deputy First Minister said: "I know from our discussions with him [Mr Blair] that he is very much involved."
"I'm not sure that his attention span will be able to be extended much beyond the incoming week because of his own demands in terms of his role as prime minister and because of the impending election."
Ms Éilis Haughey was last night selected by the SDLP to contest the Mid Ulster seat in the election which has been predicted for May of this year.
Ms Haughey (28) received the unanimous backing after her father Denis, an Assembly member for the area, stood aside.
The law graduate works as the SDLP's policy and research officer following a period as assistant to Mr Mallon.
She was a co-ordinator in the party's talks delegation from the Brooke-Mayhew initiative right through to the Belfast Agreement.
PA